UNCW chancellor finalist for two positions

UNCW Chancellor Gary Miller is being considered for the top job at Youngstown State University.

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) -

Less than three years after taking the helm at UNC Wilmington, Chancellor Gary Miller is a finalist to lead Buffalo State College in New York and Youngstown State University in Ohio.

According to the Buffalo State college newspaper, Miller will be in town Monday night for a two-day visit, including a public forum Tuesday. He is slated to meet with faculty, department chairs, and students.

Officials with Buffalo State are encouraging the campus community to provide feedback via an electronic survey.

Miller is one of three final candidates at Youngstown State University, where he was to be interviewed over the weekend via Skype, according to The Plain Dealer.

He is scheduled to travel to Ohio next Tuesday for an interview.

Miller replaced former UNCW Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo in 2011.

UNCW officials released the following statement:

Chancellor Miller has been invited to explore other presidential opportunities in higher education. The chancellor and Mrs. Miller continue to be dedicated to UNCW and this community, and respectfully request that this development not interfere with the celebration of our students' upcoming commencement ceremonies or the important endeavors of our faculty and staff.‎

UNCW Professor Bruce McKinney was on the search committee that recommended Miller.

He was surprised to hear the chancellor may be leaving, but wouldn't be surprised if the political landscape in Raleigh played a role.

"I can see where it would be incredibly frustrating for a chancellor to try to work in this environment," McKinney said. "It's a well respected system outside the state. It seems like to a certain extent the state legislature is slowly dismantling that."

Miller was not available for comment.

"He is exploring other opportunities and the board is supporting him in that endeavor," said Wendy Murphy, chair of the UNCW Board of Trustees.

Murphy said she knew Miller was a finalist at Youngstown State and Buffalo State. She wasn't aware of any other positions he may have applied for.